RIYADH: The Haramain High-Speed Railway has been prepared to operate more than 3,662 trips for more than 1.7 million passengers this Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

Saudi Arabia Railways said it has completed its operational preparations to increase the capacity for travel between Makkah and Madinah.

The SAR noted that the plan for this season includes more than 100 daily trips that would align with prayer times and the movement of Umrah pilgrims.

The company recently announced the purchase of 20 new trains from the Spanish company Talgo to further increase capacity, for delivery between 2028 and 2031.

The SAR stressed that the improvements are in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics.

The Haramain High-Speed Railway operates some of the world’s fastest passenger trains, which travel up to 300 kph.

It connects Makkah and Madinah via Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City along a 453-km railway line.

Construction began in 2009 and operations in 2018.